Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I was surprised to be told by my colleague from Cavan this morning that there was an advertisement in the newspapers there seeking a premises to lease by the Department of Defence for Reserve Defence Force training, even though we are closing a barracks in Cavan town. Why was a decision taken to close a barracks when the Department was seeking to lease a property in the same town for Defence Forces personnel?

With regard to the current property portfolio, the properties will not be sold in the current climate, as we would not get value for money if we did sell them. Are there proposals to allow local authorities to use these properties for community purposes?

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